The sun’s brilliance is iconic of summer, but it can be a threat to those who are unprepared. With summer temperatures reaching new highs, students are now more susceptible to a host of health problems and should take necessary precautions when staying outside for extended periods of time.

“People don’t realize how much water they do or don’t drink,” said De Anza College Registered Nurse Sandre Sokabe. “Make sure to carry bottled water. Some people aren’t even aware that you can get dehydrated.”

Sokabe will often receive cases of students arriving to the nurse’s office after collapsing from a lack of basic human necessities. She finds that a student’s busy schedule often includes skipping meals or disregarding the care of their bodies and feels that this behavior needs to be changed. According to Sokabe, this disregard for one’s health can ultimately take a toll on the overall wellness of an individual if left unchecked.

“Students need to make sure to eat,” Sokabe said, “A lot of students forget to find time for these things. Lack of sleep, lack of food and lack of water are a recipe for disaster.”

Knowing that these dangers are apparent, some students are taking the initiative to protect themselves while enjoying the benefits of the sunlight.

“When I go out, I use tanning oil and then aloe,” said student Rachel Cerna, 24, “I also like to swim to relax.”

Sunscreen is important and its application is highly recommended for all ages and skin pigmentations. A recent report by the Food and Drug Administration states, “the UV energy absorbed by the skin can produce an erythemal reaction [redness].” The study also finds that “sunscreen agents decrease the amount of energy absorbed … by limiting the total amount of available energy that reaches the skin.” All of this correlates to an increased protection while enjoying the outdoors as long as sunscreen is applied regularly.

With increased protection against the sun’s ultraviolet rays, a host of activities become safe in the sunny weather. Specifically for students, summertime can become a great opportunity to relax and enjoy the things that often go ignored during the other seasons while classes are out.

“I like to go to Santa Cruz. I have a lot of time off and want to take advantage of it,” Quoc Nguyen, 21, said, “Sometimes I just go out and play a game of volleyball, and that’s my day.”

As long as students are aware of the dangers of the summer and the sun, there is a lot of fun to be had. By staying hydrated and keeping protected, students can find that the summer heat can definitely be beat.